South Korea’s Jeolla goes after SE Asians with culture, agritourism

16 Mar 2018  2065 | Cambodia Travel News

As a lesser-known destination for foreign travellers, South Korea’s Jeolla Province wants to leverage its rich cultural and agricultural assets to attract a greater share of visitors from South-east Asia.

Park Hui Jung, chief tourism marketing, Jeollabukdo tourism division, told TTG Asia that the destination’s selling points include the opportunity to get up close and personal with Korean culture in Jeonju Hanok Village, such as through the wearing of a hanbok, making of bibimbap and visiting Korean traditional houses.

Jeonju Hanok Village. Photo credit: Korea Tourism Organization

The northern Jeolla Province has been intensifying its marketing efforts in South-east Asia by conducting sales calls in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, said Park.

Consumer fairs and trade shows are also part of the agenda, and Jeollabukdo will be participating in this month’s MATTA Fair in Kuala Lumpur, Vietnam International Travel Mart in Hanoi and Singapore’s NATAS Travel Fair.

Meanwhile, the southern Jeolla province is keen to attract Singaporean families as the area offers farms and activities for children, Kim Bog-Hee, deputy director, Jeollanamdo Province tourism division, told TTG Asia.

Unique agricultural experiences promoted include abalone picking and tasting in Wando from autumn to spring, while in late fall, travellers will be able to pick and taste pears, Kim continued.

An abalone meal in Wando. Photo credit: www.wando.go.kr

However, direct international flights to the province are scarce, with China remaining one of the province’s biggest markets as it enjoys twice-weekly scheduled flights from Shanghai to Muan Airport.

Still, Singapore outbound agents see promise in this fledgling Korean destination.

King Jin, senior sales manager, Apple Holidays, said: “The province is not easy to access, but Singaporeans are looking to travel somewhere they’ve never heard of.”

For his company, family groups top the segment of travellers that choose Jeolla, where there are daily departures – each group is about 25 to 30 pax strong – during the peak seasons of June and December.

Read more...

Recommended Cambodia Tours

Cambodia Day Tours

Cambodia Day Tours

Angkor Temple Tours

Angkor Temple Tours

Cambodia Classic Tours

Cambodia Classic Tours

Promotion Tours

Promotion Tours

Adventure Tours

Adventure Tours

Cycling Tours

Cycling Tours